Left in an empty Budweiser box and named after local suds: Meet Hamilton’s beer puppies

Rhyme and Reason. Rhythm Bone. Hazy State. Guava. Mai Tai Sour. Ransack the Universe. Jam up the Mash.

You may recognize these as the names of some of Collective Arts Brewery's most popular suds.

You certainly don't not recognize them as the names of seven mixed-breed puppies found on a Hamilton trail this summer and left on the doorstep of the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA.

The then-days-old black and brown puppies arrived in late June in a hastily taped together Budweiser box - wailing, their eyes clenched and bodies clumped on top of each other.

It was just before 5 p.m. and shelter staff were nearly out the door. A man was waiting outside, heavy box in hand.

He found them while walking his own dog on a trail. They were without a mom," said Heather Ashcroft, adoption co-ordinator for the local SPCA. We were just closing and had to call staff in."

Abandoned dogs left at the SPCA isn't uncommon - but this many, this young, is an anomaly.

Puppies that age - which Ashcroft pegged at less than a week old - require around-the-clock attention. Their eyes and ears are shut tight, their bodies unable to regulate temperature. They need to be bottle-fed with formula every three to four hours.

They're helpless at that point," said animal outreach co-ordinator Michelle Macnab, who rushed back to the office to help when the puppies arrived. The staff were on high alert. With them being that young, there's no guarantees that they're going to make it."

Then, of course, there's the pressing issue of accommodation; finding foster homes at the last minute.

Macnab took home four and a volunteer took the rest. Together, they watched them grow into normal, energetic puppies - but puppies without a name.

Naturally, staff at the SPCA thought they'd name puppies after beer. But names like Guinness or Molson, they said, were too traditional and too bland. That's when they posted a video of the pups to their social media, asking followers for name suggestions inspired by local breweries.

One, they said, came up repeatedly: Collective Arts.

It led to somewhat of a glamorous photo-op, shot in the brewery's beer garden on Burlington Street East, that featured all seven puppies individually posed next to the cans of beer with whom they now share a name.

We were thrilled to help," said Collective Arts spokesperson TK Palermo. There's no shortage of people at Collective Arts who love dogs. Everyone was so excited, and we're happy to be a part of anything that's good for the welfare of animals in our community."

Now nearing nine weeks of age - their names set - the puppies will move into forever homes in the coming days.

The last couple of days, they've become a little bit more kind of crazy," said a chuckling Macnab. They're rambunctious and energetic and early risers and they just want to go, go, go. Super fun."

The SPCA received more than a whopping 100 applications for the pups, who are believed to be a possible mix between German shepherds, labs and huskies.

Macnab said it's a miracle all seven have grown into healthy, happy pets given they were without a mother at a young age. In a perfect world, 100 per cent they need their mother," she said. As much as we are a substitute mom, we're not the same in terms of what they truly need from us."

She stressed the importance of pet owners contacting the SPCA should they become overwhelmed.

If people are struggling, reach out to us. We would've ideally wanted these puppies to be with their mom full-time. That's something we can certainly help with if anyone's got concerns with their pets."

Sebastian Bron is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbron@thespec.com